Timetable for two
Ivy Ong-Wood
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
HK Standard
Welcome to Almitas Academy. Student population: two. And to the two pupils, 11-year-old Brandon and nine-year-old Bradley, the licensed primary school is also known as "mommy's school" - it was started by their mom, Chan-Yeo Peck Leng, last year at a cost of HK$1 million.
The inspiration for Chan-Yeo, the wife of Antiquities Advisory Board chairman and former Legislative Council member Bernard Charnwut Chan, in starting the school is obvious.
"Because I have been taking care of them since they were babies, I know them so well. I know their needs, strengths and weaknesses."
Having quit her job as a businesswoman to become a full-time mom when Brandon was born, the self- confessed "passionate mom" said she started out "wanting to allow them to develop to their full potential."
She added: "Many like-minded parents came to ask me about training their children. When I share with them my experience and when they apply the teaching on a consistent basis, they see the results. And therefore I want to help more people and thus set up this school."
From the start, Almitas Academy was never meant to be a school solely for the two boys. It just happened that way.
Chan-Yeo wanted a school that was different from the mainstream - one where parental involvement and character building would make up the cornerstones of the curriculum. "From my experience, when I continued the teaching and training my sons in all circumstances, I could see the results and gradually the fruits coming out of them. I want to share with other like-minded parents so they too can enjoy the fruits."
As it was a radical departure from the hands-off, exam-oriented curriculum, other parents needed time to be persuaded. Hence, the school-for-two situation in the first year.
"We had quite a few parents' meetings last year. A lot of them liked what we have but they were not ready to join the school as they are not ready to invest the time to work closely with the school to train their children. The school encourages much parental involvement as we believe parents are the main influence on their children."
Having shown that her concept works, though, Chan-Yeo has managed to sign on two more children for this school year and is confident that, come September, the boys will be seeing more classmates.
It costs HK$60,000 a year to enrol. But, as Chan-Yeo pointed out, it is "one fee for two" because parents get free workshops that give tips such as how to get their child to obey them or do the housework.
The school, housed in a commercial building in North Point, has six Education Bureau-registered teachers, both part and fulltime. "We are planning to move to a bigger place to reduce the rental - maybe to sublet some space in an existing school, rent an abandoned school site or a grounded site surrounded by greenery," said Chan- Yeo.
Being licensed by the bureau, it operates strictly according to guidelines in terms of whom to employ, number of holidays and so on.
It uses the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum, a US program that has been in use by homeschools and private schools since 1970. In addition to the core subjects of mathematics, science, social studies, creative writing and word building, Almitas Academy also offers a Chinese-language component.
ACE's selling point is that it is "individualized and non-graded," allowing a child to progress at his own pace. Said Chan-Yeo: "The daughter of a pastor in the Philippines finished Grade 12, the highest grade, at 14. Because she was so young, her father let her study other things first before she went to university at 16."
Despite having such a unique curriculum, Chan-Yeo is confident that Almitas Academy graduates will have no problems assimilating into the system.
The school is currently licensed as a primary school so, in a year's time, if Brandon's mom doesn't start a secondary school, he will have to go to a mainstream school.
Chan-Yeo believes Brandon will fit in as he already has the right foundation. "The most important thing is building character as academic performance is not everything. If someone has a strong character, he or she is able to make the right decision and choose to do right even when he or she does not feel like it. That is what makes a person stand out."
One example: "Brandon was able to reach grade six in his piano within three years from initial piano lessons and will be taking his grade eight exam at the end of this year. I don't have to tell him to practice - he does this with much self- discipline every day, and many times at 6.45am after he has just gotten up.
"I must say he has a very good and dedicated piano teacher, and as I partner closely with the teacher, I was able to help my son reach his maximum potential. This is what I mean by parental involvement."
The most crucial thing, for her, is for a child to achieve his full potential. That is why she named her school Almitas, which means to nurture or bounty in Latin.
"Once we have instilled good character traits and values into their hearts, they are able to excel in many areas of their lives."
Website: almitas.edu.hk
大浪西灣納入郊野公園
星島日報
8/09/2012
(綜合報道)(星島日報報道)爭議兩年多的大浪西灣「不包括土地」納入郊野公園取得重大進展，郊野公園及海岸公園委員會昨一致同意，將上述十六點五公頃的土地納入郊野公園範圍內，有關建議將會刊憲，並進行六十日諮詢。
委員會主席譚鳳儀預料，如刊憲順利於十月開展，又毋須修改發展審批地區圖，大浪西灣可於明年四月前納入郊野公園。
料十月刊憲
郊野公園及海岸公園委員會昨於特別會議上，同意把大浪西灣、金山及圖墩的郊野公園「不包括用地」分別納入西貢東、金山和大欖郊野公園內。漁護署將就建議進行刊憲，有六十日諮詢期收集市民意見，委員會將就此進行聆訊，
如毋須修改，三地便會正式納入郊野公園。委員會主席譚鳳儀表示，如刊憲順利在十月開展，又不牽涉修改發展審批地區圖，程序有望於明年四月前完成。
年初西貢區議會與委員會出現重大分歧，並否決把大浪西灣納入郊野公園的建議。譚鳳儀指，委員會與村民成立的大浪西灣規劃事宜專責小組已開了三次會，了解村民憂慮私人業權會受到影響。針對郊野公園範圍內的小型工程，譚鳳儀指，如有關房屋屬重建，規例並無規定不能批准，而事實上，委員會曾接獲兩宗重建郊野公園內房屋的申請，全部批出，「大家都明白做工程已不可以『無王管』，委員會會開明地處理申請。」
二○一○年六月，商人魯連城於上述土地進行挖掘工程，被質疑將土地改成高爾夫球場支援設施，破壞郊野公園附近的土地，被傳媒廣泛報道，惹社會嘩然。同年八月，政府在環團壓力之下，將土地納入發展審批地區圖，避免生態受進一步破壞，為期三年。
關注組擬製「國教版圖」 發起「一人一信」 收集各校國教資訊
明報
國民教育家長關注組發動「一人一信」收集全港學校推行國教科的資訊，屆時將鐵定9月開科的學校會以紅色小旗作標籤，製成「國教版圖」供家長作選校參考。
【明報專訊】距離9月3日開學日尚餘24天，要求開學前撤科的國民教育家長關注組昨推出網頁，呼籲家長舉報學校使用涉「洗腦」的教材，並發起「一人一信」行動，
預料會有逾萬家長、學生及校友響應，查詢母校或子女就讀的學校何時推行國教科，收集到的資訊會製成「國教版圖」。教育界擔心家長、校友等持份者施壓，可能令推行科目的學校被標籤，成為家長與政府談判的「磨心」，促請教育局盡快出面斡旋。
國民教育家長關注組發起人陳惜姿指出，政府無視9萬人參與「7．29遊行」，隨着開學日逼近，決定把行動升級。關注組已經把逾千所中、小學資料上載至網頁
http://parentsconcern.hk
家長可根據「一人一信」電郵範本發信，內容主要要求學校就開辦國教科三思，並要求校方確實交代何時推國教科、選用什麼教材、是否及如何運用53萬元津貼。
關注組：集資訊增談判籌碼
陳惜姿呼籲家長、學生於8月15日前發信，並要求校方於一周內，即8月22日前回覆，關注組會收集各校的回覆，趕於開學前製作「國教版圖」，作為家長選校參考，「鐵定9月開科的學校會標籤成紅色，不開科的為藍色，態度曖昧未明的是灰色」。
關注組網頁亦設有「報料站」，讓家長舉報學校使用的偏頗「洗腦」教材，陳惜姿指出，以上方法可表現家長真切關注，又可收集情報，如學校或辦學團體本身不想開科，更可添加家長反對聲音作為與當局的「議價籌碼」，強調行動目的並非要令校方「難做」。
學校憂成教局家長「磨心」
九龍地域校長聯會副主席兼小學校長陳志榮指出，若收到家長和校友來信會如實回答，但擔心若把國教科與家長選校、學校收生掛鈎，只會令學校成為「磨心」，「教育局真的沒有逼我們9月開科，學校、老師都想用多點時間觀望，家長若過度施壓，可能令收生有困難的學校額外受壓」。
香港教育政策關注社主席張民炳恐有關做法可能破壞家校互信，「報料」機制有機會構成另一形式的「批鬥」，「當局應盡快出面調停，分別與家長、辦學團體談判，避免令學校處於尷尬位置」。
林大輝中學校監林大輝表示，國教科的中學開展期在2013年，因應現時情况，該校會在16日（下周四）召開校董會討論國民教育科，包括如何編寫教材、培訓師資等。他表示，會聘請教師負責國民教育科，個人認為教師即使有政治立場亦不要緊，最重要是在教授有關科目時不帶立場。
劉翔﹕「你們放心 我還會回來」 跟腱兩端裂 今留英開刀
明報
8/09/2012
【明報專訊】「小小困難，跨過去就好」。憾別倫奧的劉翔右腳跟腱重傷，預料香港時間今晚開刀治療。內地消息指「翔飛人」跟腱兩邊撕裂而非完全斷裂，本報綜合醫生意見後，相信劉翔受舊患困擾，兩邊撕裂的手術或較醫治完全斷裂更複雜。
然而，「欄王」心不死：「欄還在那裏，我還要跨過去。」他安慰父母說﹕「你們放心，我還會回來。」
劉翔本周二下午在110米欄初賽觸傷舊患，退賽之餘宣布賽季結束。傷出當日，中國國家田徑隊總教練馮樹勇一度懷疑劉翔右腳跟腱斷裂，但進一步檢查發現，跟腱未「一分為二」，而是兩端撕裂。
他原定昨午在英國接受手術，臨時押後一天。
非治碧咸名醫操刀
http://diguk.com/sports
內地傳媒指劉翔團隊邀請芬蘭名醫奧拉華（Sakari Orava）操刀，他曾為有類似傷患的英格蘭球星碧咸等療傷，但據本報了解，主診醫生為英國籍。
骨科專科醫生高拔萃指出，劉翔4年前起一直受右腳跟腱傷患困擾，既非首次動手術，及後不時反覆發炎，「外間可能認為跟腱撕裂傷勢較輕，其實不然，這幾年來劉翔的跟腱一直有問題，跟腱的纖維力量、柔韌度、張力等都較以往差，跟腱發揮不了推動、加速功能，與斷裂情况相近。」他又補充治療跟腱撕裂的手術，或比完全斷裂更複雜，「跟腱曾受傷，局部撕裂後（剩下跟腱）張力不一，修補不會較（跟腱完全斷裂）容易」。
痛哭後平復 短訊慰父母
劉翔在7月鑽石田徑聯賽倫敦站退出決賽，引起外界猜測右腳舊患復發。進駐奧運村後，「翔之隊」曾匯報傷情，劉翔當時表明傷得更重也要堅持，不會放棄。「翔飛人」再跌倒，與千萬中國人同樣傷感。
他在賽後與父親聯絡，一度痛哭，但一天過後逐漸平復，發給父母的短訊再現朝氣。他安慰父母，誓捲土重來：「我決定盡快手術，運動員受傷很正常。你們放心，我還會回來。」他單憑左腳也要跳到終點親吻最後一欄，感動場面被指給跨欄的「最後一吻」，劉翔對此感慨：「我已經盡力，但不希望用這種方式感動大家」。
明報記者 黃家倫 何偉畧
劉翔跟腱手術碧咸醫生操刀
明報
8/08/2012
據內地媒體報道，劉翔計劃在周三下午接受跟腱手術治療，主刀醫生是曾經為球星碧咸動過跟腱手術的奧拉華。
劉翔在周二進行的倫敦奧運會男子110米欄預賽中因腳傷跌倒出局，後被醫生診斷為右腳跟腱斷裂。
據報道，劉翔在醫院接受檢查後，其團隊請來奧拉華（Sakari Orava）到奧運村為劉翔查看傷情，預計在周三下午進行手術。
http://digcan.com/sports
芬蘭醫生奧拉華是世界著名跟腱治療專家，曾為碧咸等多名世界頂尖運動員進行過治療。
碧咸那次手術是在2010年3月進行的，雖然萬人迷因此未能參加南非世界盃，但手術依然成功並在半年後就復出。
報道稱，劉翔在受傷後兩度聯繫家人，表示將配合醫生的手術治療方案，爭取盡快恢復。
劉翔現年29歲，目前尚不清楚此次傷情是否會導致其運動生涯的終結。
但中國田徑隊副領隊馮樹勇周二在記者會上表示：劉翔本賽季的比賽顯然結束了，但他尚未考慮退役。
另中國官方新華社周三報道，中國奧運代表團號召全部成員學習劉翔的「拼搏精神和頑強作風」。
報道稱，中國國務委員劉延東對中國奧運代表團負責人說，劉翔的「頑強作風和剛毅品質是體育精神和奧林匹克精神的最好體現」。
（綜合）
家長駁特首國民教育科解畫電郵
「明知壞東西 不會餵孩子」
家長駁特首國教科解畫電郵 「明知壞東西 不會餵孩子」
明報 – 2012年8月8日星期三
國民教育家長關注組昨就教育局《問與答》，分別製作「簡易版」和「詳細版」回應，逐點反駁政府說法。
【明報專訊】德育及國民教育科爭議依然持續，特首梁振英更直接將教育局製作的《國教科問與答》電郵給公眾希望「撲火」。國民教育家長關注組和教協隨即反擊，分別編製宣傳品逐點回應官方說法，「明知是壞東西，不會餵給孩子吃」，並計劃發動第二波反國教科行動，今日將率先發動家長透過「一人一信」向學校施壓；教協則計劃本周內發動教師聯署《良心約章》，表明教師不希望成為洗腦工具。
近日有網民在社交網站透露，公司部門主管近日接獲特首梁振英的電郵，當中包括教育局製作的《國教科問與答》。特首辦證實事件，表示會以電郵等渠道直接發放政府資訊給各界，讓他們更了解政府政策。外交部駐港副特派員姜瑜昨表示，港府推行國民教育是好事，讓香港的年輕人多了解中國。
特首辦證實廣發電郵
面對政府的宣傳攻勢，多個反國民教育科團體亦將於今日起，陸續發起各項行動，希望逼政府撤回國教科。國民教育家長關注組昨就教育局《問與答》，分別製作「簡易版」和「詳細版」回應，逐點反駁政府說法（見附表）。
研第二波行動 一人一信寄學校
家長關注組發言人陳惜姿表示，特首梁振英在競選期間，經常發動「文宣轟炸」，認為梁的做法以及宣傳內容並無新意。
關注組今日將召開記者會，宣布第二波反國教科行動，包括呼籲家長以「一人一信」形式，向學校了解國民教育政策，藉此施壓，以及成立網上「國教版圖」，協助家長為子女選校等。
另外，民間反對國民教育科大聯盟代表葉寶琳表示，大聯盟將於明日召開記者會，公布下一波行動內容，初步計劃收集各款「染紅教材」然後展覽，稍後將設立熱線歡迎市民「報料」。對於特首親自推銷國教科，葉認為事件反映梁已成「強弩之末」，外界要求修改有問題的課程指引，但政府卻沒有正面回應。
教協《良心約章》籲教師聯署
教協中學發言人方景樂表示，教育局除《問與答》外，近日亦發表名為《對「政府強推國教科」的疑慮及正解》的文件，反駁外界質疑國民教育只強調情感灌輸、少數族裔學生毋須學習國教科等觀點。因應教育局文件，教協已製作「駁斥國民教育23條」逐點反駁，並透過電郵發給全體會員。教協目前亦正草擬《良心約章》，稍後將呼籲教師聯署，向教育局表明教師拒絕成為洗腦工具。
明報記者
Ghost hunters hit in mysterious fall of monster tree
Eddie Luk
Wednesday, 8/08/2012
Four members of a ghost-hunting TV crew were hit by the mysterious collapse of a giant tree as they picked their way through an area linked to hauntings.
Fortunately, said rescuers, a guardian spirit must have been at work too, for the crew members escaped with their lives from yesterday afternoon's incident in Ma On Shan.
But two of the crew from i-Cable were hurt badly enough to be in hospital last night after the unexplained fall of the 18-meter Acacia confusa, known as the Philippine or Taiwan acacia.
Investigators could not offer an immediate explanation as to why the tree toppled when there was no wind sweeping through the location - a barbecue area near the beach on Lok Wo Sha Lane.
Team members had been carrying their equipment through the area just before 4pm when their supernatural mission came to a crashing halt.
A 48-year-old cameraman was hit on the head and neck and a veteran audio engineer took hits to his head and back.
Both remained conscious and received medical treatment from paramedics at the scene before being taken to Prince of Wales Hospital. Both were stable last night.
Two others, one the ghost program producer, suffered minor injuries.
The i-Cable program, Strange Talk, is hosted by Spencer Leung Sze-ho, who is also a radio personality.
It features paranormal and supernatural happenings in Hong Kong and neighboring locations. It is generally based on Buddhist, Taoist or Chinese superstitions. Sometimes the format is that of a reality show, with segments direct from a scene of reported hauntings.
A mundane thought on the fall was that it was a delayed reaction to the fury of Typhoon Vicente, which struck two weeks ago. Then, more than 1,700 trees collapsed immediately.
The fall also follows soon after a Chinese Banyan collapsed on a day of regular weather on the Park Lane Shoppers' Boulevard in Tsim Sha Tsui, injuring four women and a man.
Coach: injury never went away
2012-08-08
By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
It's not that Liu Xiang's torn Achilles tendon is back. It's that it never went away in the first place.
China's track and field chief said on Tuesday that Liu's treatment for the injury has been an ongoing process for the past four years.
"The injury is the same one he had in Beijing," said Feng Shuyong, the team's deputy leader.
"In the last several years, he has had good medical care, but it is still there and we never stopped the treatment.
"An Achilles injury is almost impossible to fully recover from. We tried hard before the Games, but we could not find effective ways (to deal with it)."
Eight years ago in Athens, Liu found himself in the international spotlight when his 110m hurdles victory made him the first Asian man to win a gold medal in track and field. On Tuesday, Liu fell victim to the same injury that kept him from competing in the 2008 Games in Beijing.
"The initial diagnosis from the medical staff is that he might have a torn Achilles tendon," Feng said.
"He battled with the injury and hoped he could at least make it to the final. But he failed."
Feng said no decision has been reached on Liu's future.
"He is not thinking about retiring," he said. "(But) it is hard to say (if he will return). I hope all the fans can understand this, and that anything can happen. It happens to many athletes."
Feng stressed that just because Liu might be finished with the sport, it doesn't mean the rest of China has to be.
Feng asked fans to sympathize with Liu's plight, saying what really matters is that he participated.
"We've all seen how hard it is for him. It is such a pity, but his spirit was there," Feng said.
(China Daily 08/08/2012 page12)
固網寬頻悄悄掀加價潮 城電離場不鬥減價 改鬥增值網速
明報
8/08/2012
本地寬頻網絡商之間仍然積極搶客，但相對以往靠打價格戰的做法已大為不同，現時多數靠高速及增值服務招徠。
【明報專訊】香港寬頻上網市場，在「電訊魔童」王維基退出後，已悄然掀起新一波加價潮。本地4間主要的寬頻網絡商網上行、香港寬頻、3家居寬頻及有線寬頻，今年均以不同形式調整上網月費，加幅最高達七成。有市民大嘆收費提高，但服務質素未見明顯改善，而可選擇的網絡商亦愈來愈少。
TimeandGems
市場增長趨穩定
向來善打價格戰的王維基旗下城市電訊，全力進軍免費電視，今年較早時出售電訊本業，其他網絡商眼見進取的競爭對手離場，而本地寬頻的市場增長速度亦到了較成熟地步，近年客戶增速相對穩定，多間網絡商都捨棄價格戰，改以增值服務及高速寬頻搶客。
近年積極拓展3家居寬頻的和記電訊，行政總裁黃景輝在中期業績會上表示寬頻月費已加價。據其網上公布的牌價，100M服務月費由年初時的99元增至目前的159元，簽約30個月的月費回贈亦由1000元減至800元，實際月費由76.7元大增72.5%至132.3元。
和記發言人指出，家居寬頻市場競爭激烈，並密切監察市場，透過推出不同形式的優惠，保持競爭力。
低端計劃加價 引客升級
據本報調查所得，香港電訊旗下的網上行，在高速上網收費如300M到1000M的月費暫維持不變，速度較慢的8M計劃在私人樓宇月費在近兩個月內，已由218元加至238元，希望吸引低端客升級。香港電訊未有否認加價，但官方沒有回應加價幅度。發言人表示，不時檢討服務計劃內容，有需要時會調整服務月費及優惠。
香港寬頻發言人表示，今年以來沒有增加網上公布的牌價，但部分客戶的月費計劃有變動，而整體ARPU（每月每戶平均收入）則有上升，意味月費牌價未變，但客戶付出的月費有所增加。集團行政總裁楊主光早前接受本報訪問時，亦明言透過增值服務的形式加價。
有線寬頻的個別前線銷售員向記者透露，將於短期內加價，但未知加幅。該集團發言人沒有正面回應加價，只表示集團一向因應多項因素，釐定收費。
專家：合謀定價機會低
4間寬頻網絡商齊齊加價，惹起合謀定價的質疑。根據《電訊條例》第7K條規定，網絡商不能防止或大幅限制電訊市場的競爭行為，包括有否涉及電訊市場內釐定價格的協議，但網絡商均否認與競爭對手共同釐定價格。
資訊科技商會會長方保僑認為，網絡商加價相信是推出「光纖入屋」服務，令成本壓力上升。再加上3G及4G流動網絡搶走一批速度要求較低的客戶，故需要改變策略，把低端客戶升級至高端，期望以速度去留客。中大經濟系副教授莊太量亦表示，由於市場競爭激烈，網絡商之間常推出優惠互相搶客，合謀定價的機會不大。
明報記者
低用量客可考慮轉4G
明報
8/08/2012
【明報專訊】固網寬頻掀起加風，有平日用量不多的市民，或可乾脆取消家居寬頻，直接在家使用流動電訊的4G上網，情况一如手提電話逐漸取代固網電話。
隨着4G流動網絡興起，上網速度媲美固網寬頻，有可能令固網用戶流向流動網絡。資訊科技商會會長方保僑認為，雖然手機上網流量有限制，室內覆蓋率亦未完善，但固網市場已正受到挑戰。「4G面世後，價錢亦會愈來愈便宜，低端用家沒有理由不用。」對於平日在家上網只作收發電郵等簡單動作的用戶而言，4G與家居寬頻分別不大。
高用量客難轉流動網絡
不過，現時大部分電訊商都設有流動網絡流量限制，每月使用流量上限多在5Gb左右，對經常以BT下載或觀看短片的用戶限制頗大。方保僑指出，部分網絡商較低速度的服務，將會被3G、4G搶客，若是高端用戶，短期內仍會選擇固網，畢竟網絡較穩定，亦不設流量限制。
欄王斷跟腱 七步出局
明報
8/08/2012
劉翔昨日在男子110米跨欄初賽，只跑了7步，在上欄一刻，左腳碰欄後整個人跌倒，無法再賽
劉翔只跑了7步，在第一個欄前倒下。
倫奧最後一吻會否成29歲的劉翔職業生涯絕響？
【明報專訊】跑道上的最後一吻，劉翔把4年前北京奧運的傷感延續到昨天的倫敦。劉翔昨日在男子110米跨欄初賽，只跑了7步，在上欄一刻，左腳碰欄後整個人跌倒，無法再賽；他單腳跳回跑道，親吻了欄子，在終點位置與對手擁抱後，坐着輪椅離去。國家體育總局田徑運動管理中心副主任、中國田徑隊總教練馮樹勇估計，劉翔跟腱已斷，而半官方的中新網則報道，劉翔的傷情基本確診是跟腱斷裂，初步決定在英國當地醫院做手術治療。至於劉翔倒下的原因，可能是失誤，也可能是舊患復發。
中新網﹕初步決定在英做手術
昨日倫敦比前幾天更陰涼，觀眾卻熱熾等待當地時間昨晨最大看點——男子110米跨欄初賽。劉翔排在初賽最後一組，亮相時神情從容，報以微笑，不像4年前那樣摸着足踝，一臉痛苦。
單腳跳完賽道 全場鼓掌告別
只是起跑後第一個欄，劉翔上欄時左腳碰到欄子，他迅即倒下，一臉惘然坐在地上，痛苦地撫着右腳跟腱傷患。劉翔站起來後，一拐一拐返回起點通道，猶豫一剎，折返賽場，在跑道旁邊單腳跳過整條賽道的距離，跳到屬於自己的第四線跑道，俯身吻了最後一個欄子一下，然後到終點與跑畢全程的選手擁抱。4年前的鳥巢運動場因為劉翔退賽響起Beyond名曲《海闊天空》，昨日的倫敦奧運主場館沒有音樂，但全場掌聲雷動，是送給「翔飛人」的告別禮。
隊醫檢驗後哭了出來
劉翔到達終點後坐上輪椅，路經混合採訪區去到運動員醫療站。教練孫海平目睹愛徒受傷，即衝到醫療室，但大會只讓隨行隊醫內進，孫海平反而在門外焦急守候約半小時方能入內。
據獲准內進充當翻譯的內地記者嚴小琰透露，劉翔一直坐在輪椅上，在醫療室裏逗留了個多小時，隊醫在初步診斷劉翔傷患後哭了出來，「孫海平沒哭，但表情很沉重；劉翔則一臉麻木」。劉翔及後從另一通道離開，工作人員表示，他沒能走路，一直坐着輪椅，由私家車接走。
馮樹勇之後在記者會說：「醫生初步診斷，懷疑劉翔跟腱斷裂。這次奧運賽制是3槍（兩日跑3場），準決賽及決賽只相隔兩小時，所以必須適應（高強度訓練）。適應過程中，他訓練後（腳傷）反應有些加重。」他說劉翔未有打止痛針，「千萬別信傳言，只採用一些常規治療」。
總教練﹕訓練後腳傷反應加重
劉翔無緣晉級，各界紛紛送上祝福，賽前表明「劉翔也是人，不是神，讓我們為劉翔祈禱」的新華社，賽後以「劉翔已成偉大運動員，勵志傳奇永遠流傳」表揚劉翔多年貢獻。直播賽事的中央電視台，兩名主播邊哭，邊祝福劉翔早日康復：「相信劉翔飛翔的身影，會永遠留在我們最美好的記憶當中，也會永遠留在奧運會賽場上。」劉翔出生地上海副市長趙雯也致電劉翔慰問。
劉翔今屆最強對手梅里特，賽後幾次被記者追訪，他說昨天早上曾跟劉翔談話，感覺他一切如常：「他看來心情大好，沒有不妥。或許他上欄早了一點，但在這種大賽，只要一下失誤，你就會一敗塗地，沒可能追回來。我對他摔倒感到可惜，我很想跟他對決。」
倫奧百米男飛人保特﹕劉翔是其中一個最優秀跨欄好手。他已向世界證明能完成偉大的事情……發生這種事，對任何運動員都是傷感的。
法新社﹕當劉翔在110米欄預賽中摔倒後，整個中國都震驚了，人們感到2008年京奧上的噩夢重演，從直播中都能聽到中國電視台旁述的哭泣聲。
明報記者 李思詠 倫敦直擊
劉翔摔倒緣盡倫敦奧運
星島日報
8/07/2012
倫敦奧運會男子男子110米欄預賽中，中國欄王劉翔意外摔倒出局。
劉翔預賽編在第六組，同組對手實力一般。劉翔穿上紅色戰衣，安排在第四線，槍聲一響，劉翔在過第一個欄時，起跳出現問題，撞倒第一個欄後失去平衡摔倒地上，不能繼續比賽。
劉翔倒地後，神情痛苦，不斷按著右腳腳踝。不過，劉翔堅持完成賽事，他用左腳單腳跳行110米，最終到達終點，得到了熱烈的掌聲。
右腳嚴重受傷的劉翔，不敢著地，被工作人員用輪椅推出賽場。
劉翔的隊友史東鵬在第1組，以13秒78排名第七，無緣晉級，至於另一名國家隊代表謝文駿在第5小組，以13秒43的成績獲得第三，躋身準決賽。
衛冕的古巴選手羅伯斯在第4小組，以13秒33的成績獲得第一；金牌熱門之一、美國的梅列特亦在第5小組，以13秒07，獲得第一，兩人齊齊晉身準決賽。
劉翔在2004年的雅典奧運跨欄項目奪金，但在2008年北京奧運因傷退賽。
2元乘車 八達通擬收行政費
經濟日報
2/08/2012
http://www.facebook.com/truefare
政府將向長者及殘疾人士推出2元乘車優惠，八達通公司擬就此計劃，向政府收取一筆過費用以更新系統，並定期收行政費。
【經濟日報專訊】政府的長者及殘疾人士2元乘車優惠計劃，料下半年推出，八達通公司將與政府商討將收取的行政費水平，但沒正面回應會否提供優惠；有立法會議員強調，2元計劃由公帑支付，八達通只能收回行政成本，否則屬「抽水」行為。
此外，八達通的士計劃成效未如理想，今年將推出向每宗交易回贈3元優惠。
Car Rental
政府為港鐵大股東、港鐵屬八達通大股東，持股比例達57.4%，八達通第二大股東則為政府全資擁有的九鐵，持股量達22.1%；換言之，港鐵加九鐵佔八達通79.5%股權。
議員促只收成本 否則屬抽水
政府去年向市民派發6,000元，每宗交易銀行向政府收15元手續費，被評收費過高。政府今年將推行的長者及殘疾人士八達通2元乘車計劃，包括巴士、港鐵及小輪等，八達通營業及市務部總經理李玉兒指出，會收取政府一筆一次過費用以更新收費系統，將來亦會定期收行政費。
就計劃會否給予政府優惠？八達通行政總裁張耀堂只表示，需與政府商討，沒有正面回應。
勞工及福利局局長張建宗昨指出，正與公共交通營辦商及八達通公司磋商，目標於今年上半年內敲定具體安排和細節，下半年盡早推出計劃。
立法會交通事務委員會委員陳淑莊強調，2元計劃由公帑支付，八達通只能收回成本，若在此計劃上賺錢是「抽水」，希望公司免政府收費；立法會福利事務委員會副主席黃成智指，八達通免收行政費的同時，亦應盡企業責任，津貼推行2元計劃。
的士收費器 每交易回贈3元
本港現有約1.8萬部的士，八達通去年與的士業界合作，預計推出300部裝八達通之市區的士。張耀堂透露，已有約200部的士裝設收費系統，本月6日起至今年底，會推行貼士回贈計劃，乘客以八達通付費，司機每宗交易可獲3元回贈。
裝設收費系統之的士數量是否未符預期？張耀堂說，內部有指標數字，但要達至有一定困難，推廣期內亦免收交易金額1%作行政費，正研究擴展至新界的士。
的士小巴權益關注大聯盟主席黎銘洪指出，雖然乘客可透過八達通付貼士，但總體貼士收入會減少，若將來要收車資1%作行政費，相信沒司機願意使用；推行3元回贈計劃期間，料司機收入不會明顯增加，相信車主不會加車租。
的士司機劉先生指出，租用八達通機要扣減收入1%作行政費，負擔大、收入減，翌日才可收錢亦不吸引，而未能收取貼士；市民金先生認為八達通付款，可免找續減麻煩；但陳小姐則認為，可能會引起另類煩惱，要經常增值，但增值太多錢又擔心會遺失卡。
的士司機評八達通收費
Amazon Launches Textbook Rental
Print textbook rental program can help students save up to 70%
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 2012-- (NASDAQ:AMZN)—Amazon.com, Inc. today announced the launch of Amazon Textbook Rental.
Now college students can choose from thousands of textbooks to rent for the semester and save up to 70%.
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“College is expensive, and students are always looking for ways to save money on textbooks, which is why we’ve long offered great prices on both new and used textbooks,” said Ripley MacDonald, Director of Textbooks at Amazon.com.
“With Textbook Rental, Amazon gives students yet another great option for saving money – it’s now easier than ever for students to get the books they need, in the format they want, at affordable prices. So no matter if a student wants to buy or rent their textbooks, Amazon can be their one-stop shop.”
Textbook rentals and millions of other items including books, backpacks, electronics, video games, the latest fashion in clothing and shoes, and other college essentials are eligible for Free Two-Day Shipping with an Amazon Prime membership. By signing up for Amazon Student, a free membership program exclusively for college students, students can get six months of Free Two-Day Shipping on millions of items, plus exclusive offers, and then up to four years of Amazon Prime at 50% off.
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon’s own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. The new latest generation Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes – still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle Fire is the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games and web browsing with all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, Amazon Silk (Amazon’s new revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser), vibrant color touch screen, and powerful dual-core processor.
